About

$3,000

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In short: It's a webcomic that ran from December of 2012 to February of 2018. Space Tales is a 12 issue story that asked the question: WHAT IF AREA 51 WERE IN FACT...A CONVENIENCE STORE FOR ALIENS?

Space Tales TPB Standard Cover

In more complex terms: It's a science-fiction comedy that explores many of the tropes and standard-bearers of the genre with both reverence for what attracted me to the genre in the first place, and with sarcasm and humor towards the themes that tend to repeat themselves in the story form.

Promotional Print

The plot centers around one Alan Grissom: A low level service worker who toils away as a convenience store clerk at the local gas n' go, THE LAST PIT STOP. He lives in a trailer, has no friends, hates the customers as well as his immediate supervisor, and has an oddball cast of co-workers that run the gamut of personal quirks.

Kickstarter Photo variant cover

Sounds like a lot of people in jobs they hate! Except the Last Pit Stop is smack-dab in the middle of Area 51 and many of Alan's coworkers and customers are from parts other than Earth. It's the story of finding out that the proof-positive knowledge of life in the Universe other than man, does not necessarily add up to being an awe-inspiring hopeful event.

I hope with the proceeds to turn this 12-part web comic series into a full-fledged trade paperback much like I did my previous series, including: THE PARANORMALS, THE PISTOLEERS and ADAM AND EVE: BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE IN THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. Pretty straight forward.

Impossible Space Tales #6 Cover

When done. I will have roughly 360 pages of story, plus creator commentary, bonus art and other accoutrements for readers to sink their teeth into and collectors to savor, not to mention some other fun rewards ranging from prints, original comic boards and even an opportunity to be drawn into the trade as either a human or alien EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!

Language?! But fair enough! On top of getting some awesome rewards. On top of snagging a copy of an internationally acclaimed webcomic series with some nifty bonus features, YOU are doing your part to promote a more genre-oriented, creative, and intellectually diverse comic book medium!

Space Tales #11 Cover

You are telling the industry that you are tired of the two company near-monopoly on what kind of story comics can tell. You are telling the fat cat comic moguls that you want more stories with pot-smoking, foul mouthed alien store clerks, time-traveling hobos, galactic despots having hissy fits over their favorite flavored frozen beverage being out of stock, fanboy laments, talking cat super soldiers, and sentient trailer park parasite family squabbles in your sequential narrative. YOU DEMAND QUALITY FOR CRIMINEY'S SAKE!!!

Vaal Dhaleth and Bud from Space Tales #4

Man, you ask a lot of questions! But it's my job to provide such answers, and the answer is YES!

Scene from SPACE TALES #1 by Dan Nokes

First let's start with the ADD-ONS: Add-ons are simply if you want more than one of something or something not specified on your package deal, but the next tier is a bit too pricey for you or doesn't fit your requirements. So, for a small increase in your pledge, you can pick up an extra book, prints, stickers and so on. If you do up your pledge, just let us know on the survey that you receive after this crowdfunder that you want such goodies added to your grab bag. Oh lookee! Here is a list below of some such add-ons!

And here are our amazing stretch goal levels that we inserted into this here crowdfunder. We will be including these goals in both PAPER EDITIONS and PDF EDITIONS of Space Tales if we hit them. They include:

-What will the retail price of the Trade Paperback be post Kickstarter? - While we do not have a final price yet, we are looking at a $25-27 MSRP for general post-Kickstarter sales.

- How many interior pages will the TPB have? It depends on stretch goals being reached. But we are estimating between 350 and 360 pages.

-Is the comic BLACK AND WHITE or COLOR?- The interiors are all black and white with color covers.

-What is the difference between the Standard and Alternate versions of the book? The Standard version will have a the Astronaut Cover I drew. The Alternate version will sport a photo cover, keeping in line with previous Space Tales covers. The alternate cover will ONLY be available through this Kickstarter.

-Will the PDF version of the book include the stretch goal bench marks?- Yep!

-When do you expect to ship out rewards? I am shooting to have the book ready in time for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. So roughly early to mid May. The art for all 12 issues is already complete, save the Kickstarter-exclusive Employee of the Month section and the stretch goals, including the Lost Chapter.

- I upped my pledge level and wanted to get an ADD-ON. How do I go about doing that? We will be sending out post crowdfunder surveys. You will be able to specify your add-ons at that juncture.

- Do you ship internationally? Yes. Though it will be a bit more expensive to do so.

Unlettered page from Space Tales #12

Well! You can go check out the first 11 issues plus the preview to the 12th and final issue by going to...http://www.21sandshark.com/impossiblespacetales

From Space Tales #1

Sticker Reward Design #1

Sticker Reward Design #2

Sticker Reward Design #3

Sticker Reward Design #4

Risks and challenges

The biggest risk on my end is not making our initial target goal. This would certainly hinder the book getting made and would have to revise budget and time tables. The biggest risk or challenge should we hit target goal is trying to meet our deadlines. Fortunately, most of the work is already complete, with the story art and lettering finished. Mostly its inserting the bonus material and grammatical editing that will be our biggest challenge on that front.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $17 or more
About $17

CHECKOUT CLERK

So you want something tangible? Okay! How about a Standard Edition of IMPOSSIBLE SPACE TALES OF THE LAST PIT STOP, signed and quick sketched by Dan Nokes? Not only that, but get your name in the Kickstarter Backers page as well! This reward pricing is limited to the first 20 backers who select this option. You will also be privy to all stretch goal items we achieve during this Kickstarter!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $19 or more
About $19

NIGHT SHIFT CLERK

Missed out on the Early Bird Checkout Clerk option? THAT'S OKAY! We still have plenty of STANDARD EDITION COPIES OF SPACE TALES and your name on the Kickstarter Backers Page Available! (Stretch goal items included on this level.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

SHIFT MANAGER

Pick up one of our KICKSTARTER ALTERNATE PHOTO COVER EDITIONS of Impossible Space Tales Of The Last Pit Stop. This cover will ONLY be available to our backers through this crowdfunder. You will also have your name added to the Kickstarter Backers Page plus stretch goals.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $69 or more
About $69

GENERAL MANAGER

Get both paper editions as well as the PDF version of the SPACE TALES TPB. PLUS! You will get all 4 mini prints, 4 pack of stickers and and two 11X17 Prints! (Stretch goals apply at this level and you are included on the Kickstarter Backers Page)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

REGIONAL INSPECTOR

Get both paper editions and PDF copy of the book. All the prints and stickers. PLUS! A one of a kind interior sequential page from the series! (Stretch goal rewards apply at this level and you will also be added to the backers page.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $135 or more
About $135

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

This one is pretty nifty! We will have an EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH section, where you will have your likeness drawn by Dan Nokes and added to this section of the book. You can choose to remain a human being or select to be an Alien for this venture. You will also receive both paper editions and digital PDF copy of the trade paperback, and all prints and stickers (Stretch goals apply at this level and your name will be applied to the Kickstarter Rewards page.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $135 or more
About $135

SECTOR VENDOR

This is a reward for Comic Book Store and other store front and online comic distributing operations. Pledge at this reward and receive: 9 copies of the Standard Edition of the Trade. 1 copy of the Kickstarter Cover Exclusive, a PDF digital copy, all the prints and stickers a full page ad
for your store, and your name in the Kickstarter Backers Section. (Stretch Goal Rewards apply at this level.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $549 or more
About $549

CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE

You are getting the keys to the executive washroom on this rewards selection! You get both paper editions and PDF copy of the book, all the prints and stickers, Employee of the Month perks and 8 HAND SELECTED, CURATED, ORIGINAL PAGES FROM THE SERIES! (Stretch goal rewards apply at this level and your name is added to the Kickstarter Rewards Page)